Metallic clothesline



Dec. 2, 1930. Q l E LAW` 1,783,245 I METALLIC cLoTHEsLINE Filed Aug, 21,195o g Pi M l l @y l m w i?eiz ullllllllllllllll 0565 E. L w' PatentedDec. 2, 1930 y UNl'rrfzl.) STATES.

PATENT OFFICE orIs n. LAW, on BROOKFILD, ILLINorsJissIGNoR To riivLnssCLOTHES Linn Conf.

ronn'rromvon BRooxFIELD, ILLINOIS y METALLIC CLorHnsLnvn Appneation meaAugust a1, rso. serial No. 476,788.

This invention relates to a metallic clothes line, and an object is theprovision of' an improved metallic clothes line made up lof a pluralityof connected sections orlinks having numerous featuresof novelty andadvantage over previous forms, including durability and efficiency inuse, and economy of manufacture. A further object is the provision of ametallic clothes line in which the individual sections` are each formedof a single piece of spring metal, and in which the sections are allidentical in structure and formation, contributing to the low cost ofmanufacture. An additional object is the provision of a metallicsectional clothes line dispensing with the necessity of extra hinge orconnecting members for the individual sections or links, and arranged tobe folded or collapsed into extremely compact form. A further object isthe provision of a practically indestructible metallic clothes line inwhich the sections or links composing the line are convenientlyconnected or disconnected, and which dispenses with the use of clothespins 0r other fastening devices for suspended articles. As

a further object in the metallic clothes line of the present invention,no wire ends or rough projections are exposed, upon whichv articles offine texture might become torn, but a continuous smooth metal surface ispresented in the assembled line.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter de'- scribed and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a me'- tallic clothes lineconstructed in accordance with the present invention and erected inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a plurality of connected4 linksections showing the manner of engagement of Clothes or other arf ticlesfor dryingpurposes;

Fig. 3 is a plan view ofa section, to show the manner of assemblyandconnection with an adjoining section; l

Fig. 4V is -a plan view of a detached section of the clothes line; and YFig. 5 isaview of a plurality of sections in folded or collapsedposition.

VAs illustrated inthe dra-wings, the preferred embodiment of theinvention comprises an assembled line 6 as shown in Fig. 1, which'may besecured at one end to any suitable support such as a building 7, and attheopposite end to a post 8 by means of hooks 9.V Referring to Fig. 41,an individual section comprises a single piece of spring wire,preferably rust-proof in composition, which is bent orv formedI intodistinctive structural formation to compose the side portions 10 and 11,and an intermediate transverse coil portion 12;V ,As shown, sideportions 10 and 11 extend longitudinally, and are preferably slightlycurved outwardly, and are then bent inwardly to form straight,transverse end portions 13 and 14.-' which, allowing for the resiliencyof the metal used, are adapted to extend substantially parallel to theend coil 12. Each end portion 13 and 14 is preferably of slightly lesslength than the coil portion 12, and the coil portion 12 is formed of aninsideV diameter to accommodate the two end portionsl and 111inoverlapped relation as shown in Fig. 3, When the sections areassembled. v Y Y With the construction and arrangement shown, theindividual sections may be .Conveniently assembled by hand to form acomposite continuous line, by the mere expedi-v ency of giving the sideportions 10 and 11 a complete single twist, as shown AinFig.V 3,whereupon the end portions 13 and 14 are inserted in the substantiallycylindrical coil 12 of andadjoining section, and maintained in engagedposition by the resiliency of 'the spring wire used. Coil 12 is formedto provide an engaging socket for the free ends 18 and 14 of anadjoining section, and also com-` pletes a hinge connection between'twoadjoining sections. Thus an assembled line may be lengthened orshortenedby the addition or reduction of sections with the utmostConvenienceand facility. Referring t-oFig'. 2, an article 15 to besuspendedffor drying is engaged by sliding the 10G end portions 16between the overlapping portions of the twisted wire, and the capacityof the line may be practically doubled by suspending articles on theopposite side of the line, such as article 17 with the corner portions18 engaged at the opposite sides of the twisted portions of thesections. By the elimination of eXtra connecting members, and byutilizing the wire composing a section to form the connecting hinge 12,the utmost compactness is attained when a plurality of sections arefolded or collapsed as shown in Figf.

In commercial manufacture, No. 14 high carbon steel wire has been foundhighly suitable as possessing adequate strength, resiliency, andlightness without excessive bulkiness. i

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction 4for carrying my invention into effect. this is capable ofvariation and modification wit-hout departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifiations as come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a section formed ofresilient metal bent to provide two side portions and ay connecting endportion, said end portion formed into a cylindrical coil to provide asocket, said side portions twisted to provide an overlapping articleengaging portion, and said side portions bent for extension within thecylindrical coil of an adjoining section.

2. A device of the class described comprising a section formed ofresilient metal bent to provide two side portions and a connecting endportion, said end portion formed into a cylindrical coil to provide asocket, said s ide portions twisted to provide an overlapping articleengaging portion, and the free ends of said side portions bentsubstantially parallel to said coil and adapted to be engaged by thecoil on an adjoining section.

3. A device of the class described comprising a section formed ofresilient metal bent to provide two side portions and a connecting endportion, said end portion formed into a cylindrical coil to provide asocket, said side portions twisted to provide an overlapping articleengaging portion, and the free ends of said side portions bentsubstantially parallel to said coil and adapted to be engaged by thecoil on an adjacent section, each of said bent end portions being ofless length than the length of said coil.

4. A sectional metallic clothes line comprising a plurality ofdetachable sections, each sectionA composed of a length of resilientmetal bent to provide two longitudinally extending side portions, saidside portions twisted to provide an overlapping article engagingportion, a transverse end portion connect-ing said side portions, saidtransverse end portion formed into a cylindrical coil to provide asocket, and the free ends of said side portions being bent forengagement by a corresponding cylindrical coil on an adjoining sectionafter said side portions have been twisted.

5. A sectional metallic clothes line comprising a plurality ofdetachable sections, each section composed of a length of resilientmetal bent to provide two longitudinally eX- tending side por ions, saidside portions twisted to provide an overlapping article engagingportion, a transverse end portion connecting said side portions, saidtransverse end portion formed into a cylindrical coil to provide asocket, and the free ends of said side portions being bent forengagement by a corresponding cylindrical coil on an adjoining sectionafter said side portions have been twisted, each of said bent endportions being of less length than the length of said coil.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

OTIS E. LAW.

